Analysis of Core Annular Flow Behavior of Water-Lubricated Heavy Crude Oil Transport

Abstract

A possible method for fluid transportation of heavy oil through horizontal pipes is core annular flow (CAF), which is water-lubricated. In this study, a large eddy simulation (LES) and a sub-grid-scale (SGS) model are used to examine CAF. The behavior of heavy oil flow through turbulent CAF in horizontal pipes is numerically investigated. The Smagorinsky model is utilized to capture small-scale unstable turbulent flows. The transient flow of oil and water is first separated under the behavior of the core fluid. Two different conditions of the horizontal pipes, one with sudden expansion and the other with sudden contraction, are considered in the geometry to investigate the effects of different velocities of oil and water on the velocity distribution, pressure drop, and volume fraction. The model was created to predict the losses that occur due to fouling and wall friction. According to the model, increasing water flow can reduce fouling. Additionally, the water phase had an impact on the CAF’s behavior and pressure drop. Also, the increased stability in the CAF reduces the pressure drop to a level that is comparable to water flow. This study demonstrated that a very viscous fluid may be conveyed efficiently utilizing the CAF method.